Poll shows Anwar preferred as next PM, economy top concern
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(KUALA LUMPUR) Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim scored better than the government's pick to become the next prime minister in an opinion poll which showed that worries over the economy dominated voter concerns.
Mr Anwar is threatening to unseat the government that has ruled Malaysia for 51 years and the rise of the opposition since their success in elections in March has paralysed policy-making as top politicians from the government jostle for power.
The poll by the Merdeka Centre published yesterday showed that for half of the people questioned, the main concern in this country of 27 million people is the economy at a time when fuel prices have risen and inflation has surged to 27-year highs.
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who has offered to quit early to avoid a leadership challenge, topped the poll, although his approval ratings continue to fall.
Asked who would make the better prime minister, 40 per cent said Mr Anwar and 34 per cent said Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak. Mr Najib has been named as successor to Mr Abdullah, who scored 43 per cent.
Mr Anwar was characterised as 'a strong and visionary leader' and 'a competent manager of the economy' by 51 per cent of respondents in the poll of 1,003 voters.
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Mr Anwar has said that he has won over enough government MPs to oust Mr Abdullah in a confidence vote in Parliament and the prime minister last Friday said he would hand over power to Mr Najib, most likely next March.
A year ago, just 25 per cent of those questioned in a similar poll by Merdeka, an independent pollster, were worried about the economy, compared with 50 per cent now. -- Reuters
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